MetroFamily Magazine September 2020

Talking with Teens about Depression

The U.S. Department of Health reports that nearly one third of American adolescents show signs of depression, though the Center for Disease Control reports that less than 5 percent of kids between ages 3 and 17 have been officially diagnosed. According to the CDC, suicide is among the leading cause of death for ages 10 to 24. We asked local pediatrician Dr. Taylor Craft how parents can help tweens and teens navigate their mental health and be on the lookout for warning signs. As kids transition from childhood to their teenage years, both their physical health and mental health needs can change, too. Even as kids in this age group seek more independence, it’s imperative for parents to stay in conversation with teens about common challenges like depression and thoughts of suicide, especially as they are also experiencing the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

As elementary-age kids transition to their tween and teen years, what medical concerns specific to this age group should parents discuss with their kids and pediatricians? Kids at this age start becoming more independent, and therefore begin to make a lot of their own decisions. This means forming healthy habits are crucial. I always like to discuss diet and exercise at this age with the patient directly, along with possibly getting baseline labs if there are certain risk factors in play. A tough conversation to have with families is that normally healthy habits are directly attributed to what is available at the home. Families need to make healthy decisions together, especially when the tween isn’t making their own decisions about meals or activity level. Another big talking point is social support at home and at school. Signs of depression can start to show at this age and having open conversations with either a parent or seeking out a counselor is crucial. What can depression look like in a teenager, and what steps can parents take if they believe their teen is depressed? Depression can show up in multiple ways and does not always have a single trigger. A very common indication of depression is social isolation with loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities. In a teen, this can look like a lot of time in their room by themselves and/or not being interested in other family or friend activities.